Triumphrat

ohiorider · 05-18-2007

In December of 2006, I had convinced myself I needed a large sport tourer that would be reserved for long rides from Cleveland, Ohio to out West .... Utah, Arizona, etc. I've made this trip (enjoyably) on both my old BMW R100GS and the T100.

But, no ..... I needed something more suited for the long haul.

Long story short ..... the Honda ST1300 is a wonderful machine. Handles remarkably well for such a large, heavy (700+ pounds fueled up), and once I got over a 1000 miles on the 125hp V4 engine, I found out how she'd perform ....quite well.

But the bike and I simply don't fit each other. With an aftermarket saddle, my legs are splayed outward, and I'm not confident stopping on anything but a near-perfect surface. Even with the aftermarket saddle, I still feel pitched forward. And the bars are too far away from me, forcing me to lean into them.

Sort of like buying a 44 long suit, when you're a 40 regular. Just won't work no matter how much you cut and hack at it.

However, this time, I don't think I'm going to go through the (a) peg lowering kit (b) handlebar riser (c) saddle modification beyond buying a good aftermarket saddle, or (d) whatever else I might do to try to make the bike and me compatible.

Very disappointing that the bike and I don't mesh. But rather than go through the routine I've gone through with the past few bikes that didn't feel right, I think the best thing is to end this relationship before it gets way too expensive.

Off to Cycle Trader she'll go.

I hate when I do this!

Bob

ohiorider · 05-18-2007

Not sure, Road Dog. I have to admit that since I've owned a W650 and a T100, I've grown to love smaller, lighter bikes. Even the old GS is comparatively light, coming in well under 500 pounds. I guess when I purchased the ST1300, I was thinking I needed a biggie ... a Buick or Caddy of motorcycles for the long haul.

I should know better. The T100 was a great ride out West last year, and the old R100GS did equally well the year before.

I think what would work for me would be a Bonnie with:

- maybe 5-10 more hp, but not absolutely necessary
- absolutely better suspension
- inexpensive hard bags for touring, but easily removable
- Good ergonomics for someone my size

The Bonnie fits me well, I have the suspension sorted out so it is better than stock, the ergos are fine, so maybe when the ST goes, I'll be just fine with Bonnie.

Bob

mecscc · 05-18-2007

Well, Bob, I'm a 44 long and I don't want the 1300. But I think we all have to go through this phase sooner or later.

With you it was a ST1300. With me it was a new Honda Goldwing Aspencade, '97 model. Beautiful bike. Ran like a dream. Even "fit" me pretty well. After a couple of long tours I realized that NOTHING about that bike fit my personality. I put about 3000 miles on it and sold it. I was in the GWRRA at the time and they thought I was nuts. I had graduated from an old GW1000 with a Vetter setup to a GW1100 Interstate to the bike they all drooled over.

Sorry, it just wasn't my idea of motorcycling. It was kind of like a two wheeled Grand Marquis and I already had on of them. I get my "rolling living room" fix in the Grand Marquis. Cars are transportation for me and I like them big and comfortable, able to cruise all day at illegal speeds.

But a bike for me is something that has to be part of me, not something that I can sit on and point and feel almost nothing of the road or the environment. And not something that feels like a tank at speeds under 20 mph. I want a good, flickable bike under 500#s that is part of my psyche. That bike is a Bonneville.

Sell the Honda and don't look back; and don't second guess yourself. Motorcycling is more about your soul than it is about your pocketbook.

Monte

Sheepdog · 05-18-2007

I recently bought a bigger bike myself, but I had the benefit of the Cycle World Int'l Motorcycle show to help me make the right decision. I had been contemplating the ST as well, but was shocked at the size and weight when I checked it out. However, I was pleasantly surprised when I sat on the Moto Guzzi California Vintage. It is relatively manageable at only 615 lbs, fully gassed. What is more, it had a significant emotional effect on me when I saw it "in the flesh". The surprise has been the power and fantastic handling it displays. I'm smitten...ala Bonneville. For me, I just can't get into the behemoth-sized bikes. Even the Cali feels largish to me...a lifelong mid-size rider.

ohiorider · 05-18-2007

Monte - thanks for your thoughts about the ST1300. Problem is, I've been through this more than once. But I totally agree with you, a bike has to be more than a means of rolling down the highway on two wheels .... it has to feed information back to you about itself and yourself.

Guys that have been around motorcycles as long as you and I do know what we liked back when, and that's why we're so fired up over the new Bonneville. It does what our rides back then did. Provides a great sensation going down the highway. Provides good feedback. Feedback. I do this ... the bike does that. A mechanical affair of sorts. The ST does none of these things for me. Close, but no cigar. It'll have to go.

BTW - Tom (Grebmrof) and I did check out the rest of our proposed ride today, even stopping at TJs late in the afternoon (good as you said it was).

Hope we have a few more folks sign up for the ride on June 9th.

Bob

dazco · 05-19-2007

That is my biggest fear. I'm soooo looking forward to the rumored 1600 cruiser. But the speedmaster fits me like it was made for me in every way except power. And i fear that if i buy the new bike i will find it won't fit me like a glove as the speedy does. If that happens then i've just literally thrown away A few grand. The only thing that would insure me that i'm *probably* making the right choice is if the new bike is a slightly larger version of the speedmster. I contemplated the rocket for about 2 seconds a while back. But i passed for the same reasons you are selling the honda.

But for the power, the speedmaster is for me the ultimate motorcycle. But isn't it always that one tiny little imperfection that causes you to do something that you later regret? I guess i need to try and remember that nothing is perfect and that what i have is close enough. I could tour the country on the measly speedmaster with no problem i'm sure. And do i really need to accelerate at speeds that rival the space shuttle? It's an amazing bike that will do anything i ask of it within sane reason. But still i drool over the idea of a 1600. Lets face it.......we're all mad. :-D

ohiorider · 05-20-2007

Thanks for all your thoughts on the 'bike too big' issue I'm having with the ST1300. Road Dog - I think you're right, we have a great bike in the Bonnie. Sheepdog - there's probably something about the Guzzi I'd like, too. That wonderful 90 degree V-twin engine. I've noticed the bikes that I hang onto are twins, not four cylinder machines. Twins provide wonderful feedback.

And Daz, in reading your post, I'm wondering if perhaps the reason we might enjoy bikes like my T100 and your Speedmaster is the fact that they have exactly the horsepower they have ..... sort of like Goldilocks picking her bed ... not too much, not too little ... just right.

I'm finding the bikes I really enjoy have somewhere between 50 and 60hp, and cruise up to the legal speed limit with no problem. But when you want to pass, you have to drop a gear, and you can actually hear and feel the engine working to get you around, instead of the rocket-like whoosh of a 125+hp engine.

Maybe it all goes back to the old adage that it's more fun to ride a slow bike fast than a fast bike slow. Dunno.

And Daz, you're right ..... let's face it ...we're all mad!

Bob